Houston woman sues rap star 50 Cent over photo

Updated 10:37 am, Thursday, October 24, 2013

50 Cent attends "2 Guns" New York Premiere at SVA Theater on July 29, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

50 Cent attends "2 Guns" New York Premiere at SVA Theater on July 29, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Photo: Monica Schipper, Getty Images

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50 Cent
50 Cent's breakthrough album was called Get Rich Or Die Trying.

50 Cent
50 Cent's breakthrough album was called Get Rich Or Die Trying.

Photo: Robert Marquardt, WireImage

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50 Cent and Viveca A. Fox briefly dated in 2003.

50 Cent and Viveca A. Fox briefly dated in 2003.

Photo: Vinnie Zuffante, Getty Images

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Nothing beats a good hip-hop beef. 50 Cent even went as far to take this jab at Diddy and his dealings with the Notorious B.I.G's recordings:"When was the last time Diddy really was 'biggin up his brother', not biggin up his bank?" less

Nothing beats a good hip-hop beef. 50 Cent even went as far to take this jab at Diddy and his dealings with the Notorious B.I.G's recordings:"When was the last time Diddy really was 'biggin up his brother', not ... more

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50 Cent signs autographs at SMS Audio booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 9, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 8-11 and is expected to feature 3,100 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees.AFP PHOTO / JOE KLAMARJOE KLAMAR/AFP/Getty Images less

50 Cent signs autographs at SMS Audio booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 9, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 8-11 and ... more

Photo: JOE KLAMAR, AFP/Getty Images

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Rapper 50 Cent stands on pit road next to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch's (18) car prior to the start of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, Sunday, February 24, 2013. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/MCT) less

Rapper 50 Cent stands on pit road next to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Busch's (18) car prior to the start of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, Sunday, ... more

Ciara and 50 Cent and Ciara peform onstage during Screamfest '07 in New York City.

Ciara and 50 Cent and Ciara peform onstage during Screamfest '07 in New York City.

Photo: Scott Gries, Getty Images

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Wisin & Yandel, junto a 50 Cent (centro).

Wisin & Yandel, junto a 50 Cent (centro).

Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images

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Houston woman sues rap star 50 Cent over photo

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A Houston woman is suing rap star 50 Cent for copyright infringement, claiming the performer has used a photograph she took.

Jennifer Stetson filed the suit Oct. 22 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Marshall Division. According to her petition, the defendant, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, has transacted business in this district. Jackson lives in Connecticut, according to court documents.

Stetson's petition states that Jackson published her copyrighted photograph titled "Claudia" on his website www.Thisis50.com.

According to the lawsuit, Stetson provided notice at least as early as Sept. 10 that his use of the photo was unauthorized and in violation of her copyright.

Nevertheless, the defendant continues to publish and reproduce the photograph in violation of the copyright and has engaged in unfair trade practices and unfair competition in connection with its publication, the petition states.

According to the lawsuit, Stetson applied to the copyright office between Jan. 1, 2012, and Feb. 7, 2012, and received a certificate of registration dated July 9, 2012.

Since Feb. 7, 2012, Stetson has either published or licensed for publication all copies of the photograph in compliance with copyright laws and has remained the sole owner of the copyright, the petition states.

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